Safety rein-catch.



l. S. BEALiE.

SAFETY REIN CATCH. APPLICATION FlLED JULY zsnsn.

Patented Mar. 1918.

INVENTOR J %n twbcli om age WITNESSES ATTORNEY-- JOHN STOCKTON BEALLE, OF "WALDORF, IKARYLAND.

SAFETY earn-career.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 12, 1918.

Application filed July 26, 1917. Serial No. 183,007.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN SrooK'roN BEALLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at ld aldorf, in the county of Charles and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety Rein-Catches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to rein catches and more particularly to rein catches specially adapted for securing a rein or line so as to positively prevent accidental withdrawal of the same.

One of the main obj ects of the invention is to provide a device of the character stated of simple construction and operation which may be used equally well for securing a check rein or the hand line. A further object is to provide a device so constructed as to permit ready insertion of the rein into the same while positively preventing accidental withdrawal of the rein. Further objects will appear from the detailed description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective front view of a device constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a detail of the locking member.

The catch is of approximately rectangular shape having the upper arm 1, lower arm 2, and end bar 3 integrally connecting the rearward ends of l and 2 which are disposed in parallel spaced relation. Arm 2 is provided, at its forward end, with an integrally upwardly directed bar 4 which is approximately as long as end bar 3. An intermediate inwardly directed arm 5 is formed integrally with bar 4, adjacent the upper end thereof, and extends to within a short distance of the inner face of end bar 3 so as to leave an opening 6. The upper end of end bar 4 is extended to form an integral shoulder or abutment 7. The forward end of upper arm 1 is bifurcated to receive a lug 8 formed integral with a gravity latch 9 at the center of the upper end thereof. This lug 8 fits snugly between the spaced cars 10 at the forward end of arm 1 and is pivotally secured between the same by' a pintle 11 inserted through the ears and la". Latch 9 is of such a length as to engage the inner face of member 7 so as to have its outward movement positively limited thereby, the latch being thus normally maintained at a downward and inward inclination. This latch serves, normally, to close the space between the upper end of end bar 4 and the forward end of upper arm 1 so as to effectually prevent withdrawal of a rein from the catch.

This device may be secured directly on the saddle of the harness when used as a check rein catch, and may be secured on the vehicle body when used as a catch for the lines. For securing the catch in operative position, I provide the lower arm 2 with a central downwardly directed screw stem 12.

The catch will be mounted with the end bar opening 6 and then forward about intermediate arm 5 and downward about the front end bar 4.. very small danger of the check rein becom ing detached from end bar d. However, if this should occur, the gravity latch 9, which is normally in lowered position, will serve to effectually prevent complete withdrawal of the check rein from the catch. This device will be used in the same manner for securing the hand lines. The gravity latch 9, while effectually preventing accidental withdrawal of the line, permits quick and easy insertion of the line into the securing device.

What I claim is:

A rein catch having an upper horizontal arm, a lower horizontal arm, an end bar connecting one end of the lower arm to one end of the upper arm, a shorter end bar extending vertically from the other end of the lower arm, an intermediate horizontal arm formed integral therewith and of less length than said upper and lower arms so as to provide a passage-way about the inner end of said intermediate arm to permit insertion of a rein between the intermediate and lower arms, said shorter end bar being provided with a shoulder at its upper end extending the full width thereof, and a gravity latch pivotally secured to the other end of sa d When thus secured, there is upper arm fdr movement t'owafd 'and away; from the intermediate arm, said latch having its free end beveled to fit snugly against Iltestimonywherebf'I'a-ffix my fsig nature in presence of two witnesses.

the upper surface of the intermediate arm" 7 JOHN- G BEALLE' 5 when in lowered position and being. 9f euc h Witnesses: 7

length as to engage the shoulder of the M. E. JONES,

ShOl'IQI' end baryvhen in lewered position. Jnssna W. BOHRER.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each -by aiddr-es'sing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). C." 

